THE restructuring of the coconut industry should focus on extracting value-added from all parts of the tree, while farmers should be allowed to tap whatever market opportunities present themselves, including selling trees for lumber, an expert said.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said that he wants to speak to the two water companies serving Metro Manila and the government lawyers who agreed to the allegedly disadvantageous concession agreements.

THE House Committee on Ways and Means recommended suspending the implementation of the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) National Value Verification System (NVVS) to determine whether it violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on customs valuation.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) said they support bill that will establish a Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Stock Exchange, but noted that there are possible overlaps with existing regulations.

NLEX Corp. submitted a proposal Monday to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to extend the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link Segment 10 to Anda Circle, which is between Intramuros and Manila South Harbor.

TOYOTA MOTORS Philippines Corp. (TMP) said it is “worried” about the possible imposition of safeguard measures on imported cars, noting the possible impact on sales volumes, but added it still plans to proceed with a major investment pending more clarity on the government’s intentions.

CONGRESS is still studying how to regulate the vaping industry by law despite a “de facto” ban on the products due to import restrictions, a key legislator said.

If we ask taxpayers what they think about what’s next for them, we could certainly get varying responses. One would answer, “Tax deadlines, of course!” Another would say, “Tax assessments and maybe, tax reform?” One might even say, “I would rather not think about it right now; don’t spoil my December!”

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has issued an order asserting its authority to acquire imported goods whose value is underdeclared by at least 30%.

THE Philippine nickel industry expects expanded production next year to fill the gap left by Indonesia’s nickel ore export ban to between 40 and 50 million wet metric tons (WMT) of ore, possibly accompanied by higher prices due to supply concerns.

DAVAO CITY -- The P550-million Malalag Port Development Project in Davao del Sur has been completed, upgrading the cargo facility for the south of the Davao Region, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said over the weekend.

A P2-billion loan from Japan is set to be signed “in the coming months” to fund earthquake resilience improvements for key bridges in Metro Manila, the Department of Finance said.